Watch our Chair @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social explain to MPs why the government needs to focus on what's really causing delays in rape and sexual offence cases. The Bar knows operationally what works - and what doesn't - because barristers are in court every day. #JusticeNeedsJuries

Welcome to your March wellbeing spotlight, focused on bringing you news, events, thoughts and support from across the Bar and further afield ➡️ https://bit.ly/4bUzPow

The government's plan to bring down the Crown Court backlog by pushing cases into the magistrates’ court and restricting jury trials is high risk. Data shows that the magistrates' court backlog is now at a record of high of 379,437 cases – 70% higher than in 2019. Read more https://bit.ly/47uV2UG

Tune in 📺 Today Bar leaders will be giving evidence on the Courts and Tribunals Bill to the Public Bill Committee in Parliament from 2pm. Watch live via https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/04abf820-565d-4fa3-86d7-384dce863511 #JusticeNeedsJuries

It's silks day! Huge congratulations to all the barristers and clerks celebrating today. Chair of the Bar Kirsty Brimelow KC attended the ceremony at Westminster Hall to celebrate with all those being sworn in as King's Counsel by the Lord Chancellor. @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social

This #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek we have published our new neurodiversity guide. It's full of advice for chambers and neurodivergent barristers, pupils and aspiring barristers, including what support you can expect. Read the guide: https://bit.ly/4bGSrZ7

Join us on 8 May for the International Collective Redress Conference, organised by The Bar Council of England and Wales (@thebarcouncil.bsky.social) in partnership with the Centre of European Law. Read the programme ⬇️ www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve... Book⬇️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/internatio...

Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, has said that judge-only hearings could threaten the security of judges. #JusticeNeedsJuries https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/lammy-jury-trials-judges-security-courts-baroness-carr-b2940054.html

"What is Parkinson's? Will I have to stop working as a barrister?" These are just some of the questions barrister Colin Wells asked when he was diagnosed in 2017. In this blog Colin discusses how his diagnosis has impacted his working life & how he has continued practising️ https://bit.ly/4lswLnW

We heard in the debate on juries this week that MPs really value visiting their local Crown Courts to hear directly from barristers about what’s happening in the criminal justice system. #JusticeNeedsJuries

More than 300 KCs and 22 retired judges are among the 3,236 legal professionals who have signed our letter calling on the Prime Minister to stop the government's jury trial proposal ahead of a parliamentary debate on new legislation to restrict jury trials today.🧵

Day 2 on our excellent Northern Circuit visit - today we were in Preston, kindly hosted by Julie Taylor at 15 Winckley Square Chambers. Chair of the Bar @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social and Chair of the Young Barristers' Committee Amelia Clegg met with senior judges at Preston Combined Court.

Barristers repeatedly tell us that significant delays are caused by the late delivery of individuals in custody to the court room. If you experience a delay, please tell us about it so we can demonstrate the impact to HMCTS and the Ministry of Justice: https://bit.ly/4lcqkoX

Fantastic first day on our visit to the Northern Circuit hosted by Circuit Leader Samantha Hillas KC and Circuit Junior Isabella Denn-White. In the morning Chair of the Bar Kirsty Brimelow KC met with HHJ Wood, Designated Civil Judge for Cheshire and Merseyside.

We have postponed our upcoming Dubai event and encourage UK lawyers in the Middle East to register with the FCDO and follow the travel advice for the country, the advice of the local authorities and from the relevant British embassy or consulate. www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/mid...

For #IWD, Commissioner for Conduct Dame Maria Miller will be discussing ending sexism, sexual harassment and violence against women in the legal and medical professions. The BMA's Women in Academic Medicine group webinar will spotlight the systemic issues experienced across both professions.

It's time to celebrate the incredible work of legal aid lawyers. We're proud to sponsor the Legal Aid Barrister of the Year award in the 2026 LALYs. Get your nominations in by Tuesday 21 April ⤵️

Authorisation to practise is now open. During this process you can subscribe to the Bar Representation Fee to support our work and gain access to money-saving benefits. Find out more: www.barcouncil.org.uk/about/bar-re...

The Bar Council is aware that barristers are working in the UAE. The FCDO has published advice including 'register your presence abroad' and 4 Stone Buildings is coordinating requests and queries. The Bar Council offers support to barristers alongside chambers. www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/uae...

⏰ Help us send a strong message to the government to ask them to rethink the approach to juries. Sign your name by 9am tomorrow, Mon 2nd March ➡️ https://bit.ly/4kMn9DX Thank you for your support. #JusticeNeedsJuries

Meet this year's YBC Chair, employed barrister Amelia Clegg. She has shared her three committee priorities for 2026 in the latest edition of Counsel Magazine ➡️ https://bit.ly/3OPtxOZ

Legal professionals - you still have time to sign our open letter to the Prime Minister on jury reforms. We’re planning to send the letter to the PM soon - you have until Sunday 1 March to add your signature. Sign your name now: www.barcouncil.org.uk/media-campai... Thank you. #JusticeNeedsJuries

We're encouraged that the government has announced investment in the criminal courts that will allow courts to run at maximum capacity next year. However we continue to oppose the government’s proposed restriction of jury trials because #JusticeNeedsJuries Read our statement: https://bit.ly/4rB2wNT

"We cannot have trials without judges, but we cannot have justice without juries," writes Chris Henley KC. In this article from this month's Counsel magazine, Chris Henley KC explains why replacing trial by jury with judge-only trials risks undermining justice ⤵️ https://bit.ly/4cadp4i

Barristers, solicitors, retired judges, and other legal professionals - add your name to our open letter to the Prime Minister to oppose the government's plan to restrict jury trials. Sign your name ➡️ bit.ly/4kMn9DX #JusticeNeedsJuries

This new article from the Times explores how Crown Courts like Liverpool have shown that efficiencies and investment of time and resources do reduce the backlog without the need to reduce jury trials. This is why we continue to argue that #JusticeNeedsJuries⤵️ bit.ly/4roKezg

Barristers from across England and Wales have shared the impact of individuals being delivered late to court by the Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS).

Bar Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC hits out at Labour’s plans to reform jury trials, warning they won’t stop the court backlogs and undermine the safeguards built over hundreds of years. Read more in The Telegraph today www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202... @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social

Today Chair of the Bar Council, Kirsty Brimelow KC, met with Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, David Lammy MP, and Justice Minister Sarah Sackman MP. They discussed the justice system, criminal court reform proposals and the workforce. @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social

Please write to your local MP to voice your concern on the government's plan to restrict jury trials. Our updated template letter now includes the latest data from the Institute for Government and our response to Part 2 of Sir Brian Leveson’s report. Download the letter: https://bit.ly/4bKjRPs

Talk to Spot is a secure online tool to support anyone working at and around the Bar to confidentially raise concerns about inappropriate or abusive behaviours. Find out more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4prP7qk

Good morning indeed! We are in full flow and our Chair is outlining the full programme of work being done for barristers. Note for diary: 14 November 2026 is Bar Conference! And a heads up from me as Chair of the Law Reform Committee is that our annual lecture will be held on 2 July. More to follow.

Good morning from a drizzly London for our first #BarCouncil meeting of 2026. Chair of the Bar @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social welcomes everyone to the meeting. We’ll be sharing highlights and key points in this 🧵

Our race equality toolkit was designed to support the Bar in taking effective action toward race equality. It breaks down the actions for chambers and organisations to take, as well as sharing good practice ideas and resources. Download from the ethics and practice hub ➡️ https://bit.ly/4agRdmB

In this blog, policy analyst Nell Ferrall summarises the thoughts of a recent panel discussion on how and when evaluation beyond the court room might assist parties in resolving a dispute and in turn, achieve quicker, more affordable justice. Read the blog ➡️ https://bit.ly/4rqgod6

IIf you are looking for support, there are a range of places that offer help including the Bar Council's Health Assured Assistance Programme, LawCare and national charities like Mind. You can find resources, stories and advice on Wellbeing at the Bar ➡️ https://bit.ly/4r63v8s #TimeToTalkDay

Sir Brian Leveson has published Part 2 of his independent review of criminal courts and put forward recommendations to address the deep and sustained failures within the criminal justice system, brought about by a slash and burn approach to its funding needs. Read our response ⬇️ bit.ly/3NVnBDI

Visited Liverpool Crown Court as part of a Court Constituency Day with @thebarcouncil.bsky.social. Message was clear: scrapping jury trials won’t fix delays. Liverpool’s low backlog & strong workplace culture show what’s possible & what should be replicated nationally. #JusticeNeedsJuries

Today we are hosting MPs in courts across England and Wales to give them an opportunity to talk to circuit leaders, barristers and court staff about the backlogs and wider criminal justice system issues. Follow the day ⬇️

Please write to your MP and ask them to attend our lobby day in Westminster on Tuesday 3 February to discuss the issues and concerns around the government’s proposal to restrict the right to jury trial. Find your MP: https://bit.ly/4qL44UW Thank you for your support #JusticeNeedsJuries

The Bar Council of England and Wales extends a hand of support across the Atlantic to colleagues who are being targeted" says Kirsty Brimelow KC, offering support to US lawyers and to mark the Day of the Endangered Lawyer today. Find out more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4qw00I6 @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social

Our range of conferences, seminars, workshops and training courses are designed to support you and your professional development. Subscribe to receive our weekly 'What's on' events listing and our monthly training and events newsletter, straight to your inbox: www.barcouncil.org.uk/media-campai...

Save the date: Saturday 14 November | in person | London Join us for Bar Conference 2026. Sign up to be the first to hear when tickets are released: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-events/calendar/bar-conference-2026.html

"David Lammy’s plans to introduce judge-only criminal trials in England and Wales will save less than 2% of time in crown courts, the Institute for Government has said." Read the Guardian article on the IFG report ➡️ https://bit.ly/4b8RNEY

Do you want to be part of supporting rule of law initiatives internationally? Can you help develop opportunities for collaboration and training around the world? We’re looking for 4 new practising barristers to join our International Committee. Find out more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3w9fAlL

In her third week as Chair of the Bar Council, Kirsty Brimelow KC met with Baroness Smith of Cluny KC, Advocate General for Scotland and with justice minister Jake Richards MP. @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social

Welcome Dame Maria Miller DBE, the Bar’s first Commissioner for Conduct. The former Women and Equalities Committee Chair, who was awarded a damehood for her work on equality matters, will lead our work to eradicate bullying and harassment at the Bar. Read more⤵️ https://bit.ly/4qovxvw

Our anti-racist training is available for all barristers and chambers staff. Chambers can book a group session, at a time and date to suit. Or you can book our scheduled 'Introduction to race training' taking place on Thursday 29 January. Book your place: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...

The jury trial as currently constituted reflects the legal history, tradition and culture of England and Wales. We stand firm in protecting it from further unnecessary erosion. Read more in Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC's letter to the Guardian⬇️ https://bit.ly/462Bq9t

Get to know new Bar Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC in her first Counsel article as she tells Frances Gibb about her 2026 priorities, career highlights and passion for making changes for the better. Read Kirsty's full interview ➡️ https://bit.ly/4pBBRhX